Irish Dominate the Blue Devils
Ian Book isn’t likely to carve out a nickname for his running skills alongside the likes of some of Notre Dame’s all-time greats like Jerome ‘The Bus’ Bettis or Raghib ‘Rocket’ Ismail, among myriad others.
But Notre Dame’s fourth-year quarterback flashed toughness near the line of scrimmage Saturday night and wheels enough to burn through Duke’s defense on a pair of career-long runs as the No. 15 Fighting Irish methodically dismantled the host Blue Devils, 38-7 at Wallace Wade Stadium.
“He started fast,” Irish coach Brian Kelly told the ACC Network. “I thought he was decisive. Which at times I think he’s had a little too much on his mind, in terms of trying to do too much.
“I think this was a game that he can really build off.”
Book finished with a career-best 139 rushing yards, tossed four touchdowns, and fifth-year senior wideout Chris Finke helped get the Irish untracked receiving and returning punts in the win. Finke finished with 49 receiving yards, 51 return-yards and gathered two of Book’s scoring tosses.
Chase Claypool added the other one, from 7 yards out in the opening quarter, as Notre Dame built a 21-0 first-half lead before it scored 17 unanswered in the second half for the blowout-margin.
“I wanted to come out here, be confident and just get the ball to our playmakers,” Book said to the ACC Network. “I say that every week. We have so many talented guys on the perimeter, great o-line, great running back
“It’s up to me to get the ball to them. I really just wanted to play free, get the ball to them.”
The Irish defense more than did its part, coercing the Blue Devils (4-5) into seven three-and-outs and 10 possessions of four or fewer snaps. Duke was limited to a scant 197 yards’ total offense --- it averaged 363 per game --- in the game and was held 23 points below its season scoring average.
“I think it starts up front; defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage,” Kelly continued. “They weren’t able to run the football. Obviously, this game hasn’t changed much; you’ve got to be able to run the football.”
Four different Notre Dame players scored touchdowns, with reserve tight end George Takacs wrapping up the scoring with an acrobatic, leaping catch of Book’s third scoring toss from two yards.
Picking up as it closed out last week’s come-from-behind win against Virginia Tech, Notre Dame sped to a 21-0 lead with efficient execution on both sides of the ball.
The Fighting Irish scored on their second and third possessions of the opening frame. Book connected with Finke for an 18-yard scoring strike less than four minutes into the game.
“Chris is awesome,” Book said. “He works so hard every week He put on a show tonight. It’s awesome to just see him get rewarded like that.”
After the defensed harassed Duke into a punt on one of the Blue Devils’ six first-half possessions of four players or fewer, the Irish again quickly went back to work.
Rotating through their top four backs, the Irish turned to Jahmir Smith on their third possession, and Smith merely proceeded to rip off a career-best 40-yard run. Lawrence Keys III picked up 16 more on a flip from Book, and three plays later, on third-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Chase Claypool abused his defender off the line of scrimmage and, wide open, gathered Book’s toss and walked into the end zone.
The second of Jonathon Doerer’s three extra points left the Irish up 14-0 less than 11 minutes into the game.
Notre Dame added to its lead and continued its offensive diversity with the game’s third score. C’Bo Flemister, on the heels of Book’s 45-yard gallop, a career-best before the aforementioned run that iced the game, powered into the end zone from 2 yards out for a 21-0 lead.
Duke’s lone touchdown of the opening half came when the Irish’s Jay Bramblett mustered just a 22-yard punt from near his own 10-yard line and with the ball snapped at the 17. The sequence might never have unfolded had the Irish not had a holding penalty whistled on Trevor Ruhland that wiped out a Book-to-Finke 78-yard pass-and-run that appeared to have the Irish set up inside Duke’s 10.
On the second play of the possession, Duke’s Quentin Harris hit an open Aaron Young down the left sideline, and Young scooted untouched into the end zone for the half’s final score.
The Irish tried to answer, getting a defensive pass interference to forge out near midfield. But Book was pressured, had his arm hit and threw off his back, resulting in an interception.
The Blue Devils’ AJ Reed missed a field-goal attempt, his first of the season, at the conclusion of the half.
Notre Dame returns home Saturday for back-to-back home games to conclude its 2019 slate inside Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish host No. 25 Navy at 2:30 p.m. on NBC.
“Special night. Obviously we’re going to take the win. We’ve got great competition next week,” Book said.